Saturday, September 29, 2012

September 29th 2012: Showing My Friends Around Boston

Today, my friends were in town, so I decided to show them around Boston for a bit. After parking at the Boston Common Garage, we decided to get some breakfast from the Clover Food Lab food truck on the Boston Common, where I got the Popover, while my friends got coffee and their Egg Sandwich. I enjoyed my Popover, although it would have been better with jam.
Egg Sandwich
Popover

Next, we passed through the Boston Public Garden to get to the shops on Newbury Street, passing by the Emmanuel Episcopal Church.
We then walked to Copley Square, where I took a picture of the monument beside the Trinity Church

We then went inside the main branch of the Boston Public Library, visiting the exhibition shocasing Rafael Guastavino's architectural work, who designed the beautiful library building.
From here, we headed to the Top of the Hub restaurant at the top of the Prudential Center, where my friend ordered the Creme Brulee and the Organic Crisp Cucumber Mojito, while I got the assorted cookies for everyone.
Creme Brulee
Assorted  Cookies


Organic Crisp Cucumber Mojito
We sat there for some time enjoying the cookies and the views of Boston below, although the sweetness of the cookies soon became too much for us to eat more.









Going back down to ground level, I decided to bring my friends to walk along the Charles River Esplanade, where I took pictures of the Charles River and the Cecil and Ida Green Building in MIT












Walking all the way back to the Boston Common, we decided to do the Freedom Trail, passing through the  Granary Burying Ground and Suffolk University Law School on the way to Faneuil Hall Marketplace, where we decided to have lunch at the Salty Dog Seafood Grille and Bar at 206 South Market Street.
Franklin Monument,
Granary Burying Ground
Suffolk University Law School


In previous times when I passed by this place, I always thought it was a fancy place, but this time, when I actually entered it, it looked more like a seafood shack. I would say that the food we got was just average as well.
Crabcake Sandwich
Combo Platter
New England Clam Chowder
After our lunch, we continued on the Freedom Trail to the North End, passing through the Curley Memorial Plaza and the New England Holocaust Memorial
Curley Memorial Plaza,
North street and Congress Street
New England Holocaust Memorial




In the North End, I wanted to have my friends try out Mike's Pastry, but the line was so long that we gave up on the endeavor immediately. Continuing along, we passed by the St. Leonard's Church, where there is also a Peace Garden here.

St. Leonard's Peace Garden










I wanted to get to the other side of the church to take a good picture of it, entering the place, but not finding an alternate way out. The inside of the church was pretty nice though.












Finally out on Prince Street, I was able to take a decent picture of the church
On the way to the Paul Revere Mall on Hanover Street between Clark Street and Harris Street, we passed by 2 other churches.
Sacred Heart Italian Church,
10 North Square
St. Stephen's Church

Paul Revere Mall was a small walkway, with an impressive looking statue of Paul Revere on horseback.
Paul Revere
Fountain














At the other end of the mall is the famous Old North Church, with the St. Francis of Assisi Garden beside it.
St. Francis of Assisi Garden
Old North Church

Heading toward the Charlestown Bridge, I took a picture of the Residence Inn Marriott Boston Tudor Wharf.

On the eastern side of the bridge, there were nice views of the Charles River




After crossing the bridge, we passed by the City Square Park on the way to the Charlestown Navy Yard.
At the Charlestown Navy Yard, where the museums were free to visit, we headed to the USS Constitution first, where we had to go through an airport like check first before being able to get onto the ship. Pictures of the ship, nicknamed "Old Ironsides" because cannonballs fired at her always seemed to bounce off the thick walls of the ship, follow.
Cannons on deck
Powder kegs



The Dining Room
Looking out the back




At the wheel
Captain's room






The USS Cassin Young was right next door, but it was too late in the day for tours on it.
We then headed to the USS Constitution Museum next door, which talks about the 200 year history of the ship we were just on.
Ship with sails furled
Tailormade uniforms
Paul Revere






Ship with sails unfurled
Our final stop for the day was the Bunker Hill Monument. By now, it was too late to climb up it, but at least my friends had a chance to see it up close.
From here, we were so tired that we decided to take a cab back to Oishii, where we had plans for dinner. After an expensive cab ride where the driver did not know where he was going, we realized we still had some time before dinner, so we decided to visit Chinatown for a bit, heading through the Chinatown Park on Surface Road and Beach Street.
State Street Building

Chinatown Park



745 Atlantic Avenue
Heading back to Oishii, we waited a little for our friends to come before starting to order. First came the appetizers, namely the Konbu Cured King Salmon (Chilled corn dashi veloute, fresh strawberries, avocado cilantro mousse, smoked popcorn), where the meat just melted in our mouths, the Crispy Pork Belly (red miso, shiso, pickled shallots), the Salmon on Fire and 
Konbu Cured King Salmon
Crispy Pork Belly


Salmon on Fire
My chef friend gave us a few complimentary appetizers as well, the best of which was the fugu (puffer fish) appetizer, which was exquisitely different. The tuna tartare, which came on a large ice block, was too sour for me as always, though.
Fugu
Tuna Tartare











For entrees, we got the O-Toro on risotto, the Steamed Salmon which came with baby spinach, sauteed soba noodles and Red Miso Sauce, the Maki Covered with Toro (Spicy Mayo, Asparagus, Cucumber, bonito Flakes, Toro torched on top with gingery sauce and Jalapeno), and the Crispy Mango Maki (Crispy Tempura Flakes, Mango, Cucumber, spicy mayo, topped with tuna and mango, with fudachi and soy yuzu honey glaze) 
O-Toro
Steamed Salmon




The Maki Covered with Toro
Crispy Mango Maki

The best part of the night was to come with the desserts. We ordered 5 in all, but as it was my birthday, each came with a trick candle for me to blow out, and I had a hard time blowing each one out.
Red Bean Creme Brulee

Yubari Ice Melon and Green Tea Layer Cake
Coconut Sphere

Sesame Ice Cream Bonbon
The part I did not expect was the big cake my friend brought out for me, which he had made meticulously. That really made my night.

After dinner, we decided to head out for drinks, going first to the lounge at W Boston hotel, but it was too crowded, so we headed to Rock Bottom next door instead, where I got a Passion Fruit Mojito to pass the time.

After my chef friend got off work and joined us for a bit, we decided that we were all too tired, so we headed home for the day.

I'm just happy that all my friends came to town to celebrate my birthday with me.













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